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Visitors to Portland, Oregon, can spend time biking through the city on 315 miles of pathways or hiking on trails, such as the 30-mile Forest Park Trail. Other outdoor activities within the city limits include golf, running, kayaking and swimming at one of seven outdoor pools. Visitors who will be tent camping can head out of the city to one of four parks within 31 miles. The parks are close to rivers, with trails and boating opportunities.

L.L. "Stub" Stewart State Park

Reserve one of 12 walk-in tent sites at L.L. "Stub" Stewart State Park (oregonstateparks.org) or claim one of 23 primitive hike-in sites upon arrival at the 1,673-acre park. The park, 31 miles northwest of Portland, has 20 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails and an 18-hole disc golf course. Campers with dogs may use the park's off-leash area, which is also available to day-use visitors. The park also has RV sites, yurts, cabins and meeting halls, as well as a dedicated horse camp with staging area. L.L. Stub Stewart State Park is accessible via Highway 26 and the Nehalem Highway from downtown Portland.

Oxbow Regional Park

Oxbow Regional Park (oregonmetro.gov), 25 miles east of downtown Portland near the town of Corbett, has 67 tent sites and 15 miles of trails to explore. Each site features a lantern pole, cooking grill, picnic table and fire pit, and accommodates up to six guests and two cars. Two group camping areas are also available for up to 35 campers at Oxbow Park. Pets are not permitted because of wildlife protection regulations, and the park's gates are locked each evening at sunset. All sites at Oxbow Regional Park are first-come first-serve, so head to the park early to claim a site.

Milo McIver State Park

Milo McIver State Park (oregonstateparks.org) is 27 miles southwest of downtown Portland near Estacada and is bordered by the Clackamas River. Disc golfers can play on the park's course, which features 27 holes. You can also kayak, raft or canoe on the Clackamas. There are nine walk-in tent sites at the park or 44 sites with hook-ups. Milo McIver has three group camping areas as well as day-use portions with picnic tables. Launch a boat from one of two ramps at the park or visit the park's fish hatchery. Dogs are welcome, and there's a designated dog exercise area.

Champoeg State Heritage Area

Head south from Portland for 20 miles on Interstate 5 and west for seven miles to Champoeg State Heritage Area (oregonstateparks.org) in St. Paul to camp at one of six walk-in tent sites or 67 sites with partial hook-ups. The Willamette River provides a scenic backdrop for the park's five miles of trails. A boat dock allows access to the river for fishing or touring. The park's history as the site of Oregon's first provisional government in 1843 is celebrated with regular events such as living history demonstrations, tours and the Historic Butteville Store, which opened in 1863. Campsites at Champoeg may be reserved in advance and a designated off-leash area is available for pets.

About the Author

Michelle Hornaday lives in Edmonds, Washington and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Washington State University and a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University. She is currently a freelance writer for various websites.

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